Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127824
VOICES America's weekly motorcycle newspaper LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Volume XXXIV Sharon Oayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Potty mouth missed out on the championship when his bike started losing power - he was not the least bit angry or bitter. The AMA needs people like him in this sport. I really wish Vance & Hines would have picked him up to ride the Ducati. doughar®flash.net First of all let me tell you that I have been subscribing to Cycle News for going on 20 years. I guess that is why I am amazed by what] have just read in your latest issue "Daytona Tire Test: Part 2" (Issue #2, January 15). I am referring to the Briefly section and your item on Mat MIadin. . Could you please explain what &>A%ing means. If not, how could you have the nerve to even print anything this unprofessional. As far as Mat MIadin is concerned, if this is the kind of language he is going to use then he should do us all a favor and go back to where he came from. As fat as Cycle News goes, I am sure readers young and old do not appreciate this kind of journalism. Jeff Harder Princelon, TX Two-strokes After reading the news about Jeremy McGratl1 (Issue #1, January 8), I read the letter by Tracy Hagen and wholeheartedly ,\greed with him. Mr. Nobody III' knowledge impressed me about as much as the band Menudo. I still haven't got a clue what he thinks he is telling us about. Most of the places I ride in are at least 30 minutes away from civilization and the population of that town can almost be counted on your fingers and toes. I just wanted to say that this is typical horse manure. If politicians had to worry - like the rest of the populatIOn - about being productive in the work place, I think the world would be a much better place in which to live. One last comment about Hagen's letter: Tracy, don't remind tItis guy about the races or those will have to go too. O. Navarro Xwolvesx@aol.com Needs a fix I have had a rough time here lately. I was told by my friends and family that I was doing too much Cycle News. They have made me try and quit reading it because I was reading it everywhere - at work, at home, while in bed with my wife, and at church, while praising Jesus. So they formed a selfhelp group for me in an effort to make me stop. Then they wouldn't let me send in my subscription payment until they found me sneaking out at night with a flashlight to read old copies I had hidden. Then they finally realized that I need it. Thank God and please rush me my next issue. I'm shaking and foaming at the mouth. Bill Shermer EI Paso, TX CLASS fan This past fall I had the pleasure of attending Reg Pridmore's CLASS Motorcycle School. On the Streets of Willow, I participated in the CLASS Premier Executive School, where for two days 12 of us were tutored by six instructors, including Reg and Jason Pridmore. It was awesome. Then I attended a regular CLASS scl1oo1 at Willow Springs Raceway and regular doesn't come close to describing tbe school as Reg and his staff provided an excellent learning opportunity. I've been riding for 32 years and had never been on a track. The classroom sessions quickly burst my bubble as I began to realize how many bad habits I'd developed over the years. Later that first day I learned how hard it is to break bad habits as I low-sided and slid across the track. Luckily, functional Wanting Jamie I was saddened to hear that a class act like Jamie James could not find a quality nde for the 1997 season. I met him at the last AMA race held at Road Atlanta. He was in a title fight, had a couple of hundred people lined up for his autograph, yet was pleasant with everyone who passed in front of him and never gave the slightest impression that he was losing patience with the whole situation. Even after the race - in which he -~-: ~;;'K~ ~ ,,~;:: 1+ ~, .>~{;J;" damage was lintited to a broken footpeg. As always, the staff was helpful, supportive and good-natured. I continued on the learning curve for two more days with their guidance. Now when someone asks me how long I've been riding, I tell them three days. School is always in session and I can't wait to go back. Besides all that, the hot laps riding with Jason were worth the cost of enrollment. Red Morton Chickaloon, AK More, more, more I loved the article on Anthony Gobert's Kawasaki ("End of the Road," Issue #2, January 15). This is the type of stuff I have been waiting for. Please, gimme more. How about a ride around the block on Cycle Motion's GSXRll-something. The bike they race in SuperTeams is absolutely awesome. Vinny Venturelli jrvx2@WorId-net.net Stop the compLa.ining I cannot believe all of the complaints I have been hearing about the first round of the AMA Supercross Series. I didn't see any beer thrown, not one fight (except Rusty Holland and Michael Brandes), and I was out of the parking lot in 10 minutes. To me, that's a good supercross. We also got to see great racing and isn't that what it's. all about? I am going to round two and if Pace polishes the show... wonderful. Just remember, it's the racing and sportsmanship that is important. David Lever Arroyo Grande, CA Letters to the editor should be sent to Voices, Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90806-0498, faxed to 310/427668S or e-mail.editor@cyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News, Inc. Letters should not exceed 200 words and all letters are subject to editing. Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. All letters should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number ... Editor. 6 SPORTBIKE FEATUE SECTION FIRST RIDE - Honda VTRI000 12 FIRST RIDE - Triumph T595 Round 3 - Florida Winter AMA MX Series ARENACROSS AMA/PJl AX. from Guthrie, OK TRIALS German Indoor Trial INTERVIEW Team Suzuki's Larry Pegram MOTOCROSS Round 1 - GFI Winter Series South 28 .32 t:'ew Media Development Mark Mitchell, Director Rick Matheny, Webmaster Greg Mitchell, Marketing Manager Robert McTigue, Production maltQger Classified Ads Sharon Van Hazelen Graphics and Production Ree johnson, Production Supervisor Mandy Lao, Production Manager Dennis Greene, lAb. Tech. Stacey Guest, Graphic Artist Vance Lanoy, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Leanne Sims, Administrative Assistant AccountinglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, AIR Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Herlane Lewis, Credit Circulation Rheba Smith, MaltQger Alma Anguiano, Processing CoordiltQtor Keshona Dawson, Billing Coordinator Carol Begovic, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Bridgett Bobrofsky, Receptionist . Michael Swedberg, ServIce and Support National Headquarters 2201 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, 'CA 90806, P.O. Box 498, Long Beach, CA 90801-0498 (562) 427-7433; (213) 636-8844. FAJ«562)427~85 Eastern Office 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA 30084; mailing address P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805. mO) 934-7850. FAJ( (770) 934-3112 Cycle ew, (USPS 141·340) ~ published weekly except the L1St two weeks of the calendar year for 550.00 per year by Cycle News, Inc., 2201 ehony Avenue, loog Beach, CA 90806. Penodicals Postage Paid at Long Beach, CA and al additional mailing office. Canada Post InternationaJ Publications Mail 1546615. 36 EURO FILE RESULTS EVENTS CALENDAR WANT ADS HEADSHAKE LOOKING BACK To determine the expiration date of your subsa'ip.tion, check the four numbers on the fin.t line of your address' label The first two digits indicate the last issue.numbcrlou'll receive and the last two characters indicate the year 0 the last issue. 34 S~bscription rates: Rat~ for the United States and its p0ssesSIOns for. one year, (SO ISSUes), $50.00; two years 000 issues), $95.00; SIX months, (25 issues). $26.00; trial sub (15 issues), $19.00. Canada and Foreign. one year (SO issues). $90.00; two years (100 issues). $175.00; six months (25 issues), $45.00; trial sub (15 issues). $38.00. 38 Cyc~e News welcomes unsolicited editorial material including storlCS, cartoons, pl~otosl etc. Such material, if published, ..4 39 42 45 48 64 64 e POSTMASTER: Send addttSS changes to Cycle News, P.O. Box 498, Long Buch, CA 908O1-()498. 22 26 Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Manager Internet http://www.cyclenews.com DEPARTMENTS RIDING IMPRESSION Yamaha YZF600 Tina Parr, Assistant advertisingtYcyclenews.com 16 RIDING IMPRESSION Laverda 668 Advertising Terry Pratt, Natiollal Accounts Manager Mark Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Manager Mark Thome, Western Sales Manager Thomas Gonter, Western Sales MaltQger Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales MaltQger Greg Mitchell, Eastern Sales Manager Rick Matheny, Eastem Sales Manager Rhonda Crawford, Western Ad Coordinator Laurie Torstensen, Assistant Carla Allen, Eastern Ad Coordinator e-mail editor@cyclenews.com subscribe@eyclenews.com " FEATURES SUPERCROSS Round 2 - AMA Supercross from the LA Coliseum Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/COT!!! Editor Cameron Coatney, Assistant Edrtor Tom Titus, Copy Editor Alan Cathcart, Europe1111 Editor becomes the exclUSIve property of Cycle News. Reprinting in whole or part only by permissIon of the publisher. Advertising rates and circulation infonnation will be sent upon request. See S.R.D.S. .QH THE FRONT COVER Alan Cathcart rides the Honda VTRl000 and Triumph T595 Daytona - first! Photos by KoiclU Ohtani and Gold & Goose. W/Bn'A VI .....r..:- AUDITED CIRCULATION Printed in U.S.A. Co~yright" Cycle News, Inc. 1997. Trademark Cycle New, teglStemI u.s. Patent Offi.... All right> reserved'. ~ t--.. 0\ 0\ T""""4 0\ N >--~ ~ ~ ......, 3

